Risk Factors
About half of all American adults have total cholesterol levels over 200 mg/dL. Over 25% have been told by doctors that they have unhealthy levels. Total cholesterol levels have been declining over the last several decades, at least among middle-aged and older adults. This decline may be partly due to the increased use of statins and other lipid-lowering medications. However, total cholesterol levels are getting higher among younger adults (ages 25 – 34 years.) The major risk factor for these high rates may be the Western lifestyle. The typical high-fat/low-fiber American diet coupled with sedentary habits is largely responsible for this unfortunate trend.
Risk by Gender
Men. Heart disease is the major cause of death in men. On average, men develop coronary artery disease 10 to 15 years earlier than women do and have a greater risk for dying of heart disease at a younger age. A 2006 study suggested that high total cholesterol may also contribute to the development of high blood pressure in men.
Women. Coronary artery disease is also the number one killer of women. Women between the ages of 20 and 34, and after menopause (around age 55), have higher cholesterol levels than men. Some evidence suggests that HDL levels may be more significant in women than in men. In one study, at total cholesterol levels above 200, women with HDL levels below 50 had a higher death rate than those with levels above 50, regardless of their LDL cholesterol levels. Women also appear to be more susceptible to the high-triglyceride low-HDL syndrome, which may be a particular risk factor for heart disease.
Risk by Age
Children and Adolescents. It is not clear what constitutes normal cholesterol levels in children. Changes in cholesterol levels occur between the ages of 8 and 18, and may vary between genders and population groups. In general, cholesterol levels tend to naturally rise sharply until puberty, then decrease sharply, and then rise again.
It is increasingly clear, however, that children who are overweight are at higher risk for high triglycerides and low HDL, which may be directly related to later unhealthy cholesterol levels. Studies have confirmed that childhood LDL levels and body-mass index (BMI) are strongly associated with cardiovascular risk during adulthood.
Previous Section
